AS POLLING BOOTHS

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 11

AS POLLING BOOTHS

SCHOOL BUILDINGS USE OBJECTED TO "That school buildings bo not used as polling IjooUis in districts whore there are hulls or other suitable buildings available for the purpose, ami that in. such eases no school teacher be permitted to Met as a returning oflicer or poll clerk at any election," was the recommendation of the committee appointed by the Council of Education to consider the subject. Information supplied by the Education Department to the council showed that prior to and following every election numerous protests are received from school committees and education boards against the closing of schools in order to use them as polling booths. Statistics furnished for the Auckland district in June, 1925, showed that at the previous election 144 schools were used as polling booths, 329 teachers were idle, and 9470' children lost a. day's tuition. ' Largo city schools as well as small country ones were included amongst those affected. Representations made repeatedly to the Electoral Department by the Education Department were for a time unsuccessful, the fact that Parliamentary sanction had been given for the use of school buildings being regarded as sufficient to warrant the continued use of them on a large scale, but in 1925 the Government obtained a report from the Chief Electoral officer upon the matter. It was represented that in many small country places, not only is the school the only building available for a polling booth, but also the teacher is frequently the only person suitable for acting as returning officer. Towards the end of 19215 the Education Department was able to issue to education boards the following circular:— "I have to inform you that a reply has been received from the Min-ister-in-Chargo of Elections stating that for the efficient carrying out of the General Election, the employment of school teachers and the use of school buildings as polling places in country, districts appears to be essential, but that it may be possible to make a change in the present system in regard to cities and larger' towns. Returning officers hare been instructed to go fully into the question of whether public buildings cannot be obtained in lien of schools, and it is hoped to avoid the closing of. largo schools on Election Day." Apparently the returning officers were unatile in some cases, owing to short notice of the change of policy, to avoid the use of schools that would otherwise have been left open. The Department considers that the continuation of the special consideration promised by the Electoral.Department can be secured, more particularly if a request is rinade by the Minister of Education oikthe advice of the Council of Education.